Fancy going topless for £1500?

Summer is here and what better way to enjoy it than getting out on the open road in your very own convertible sports car. If the idea of the roof down and the wind in your hair sounds appealing this blog might just be for you.

I have chosen two great little sports cars; the infamous mk1 Mazda mx5 and the British built MGF, both of which can be yours for less than £1500.

The Mazda Mx5.

The mk1 mx5 is the undisputed daddy of the sports car world. The lightweight perky little two seater does almost everything a sports car should. The minute you slide into the cabin, it feels “right”, is perhaps the only way to describe it, everything in the cabin is where you expect it to be. Avoid the 1.6 and go straight for the 1.8 which delivers the kind of performance you expect; the gear changes are quick and precise, enabling you to get the best out that 4 cylinder engine. The Mx5 is superbly balanced and has more than ample amounts of grip in the corners, enabling you to push it through the tightest bends at high speeds and not fear for your life. It also has one big ace up its sleeve, it’s phenomenally reliable. These cars go on forever so don’t be afraid to buy one with high mileage as long as it’s been looked after it will continue to be a fun summers toy for many years to come. In fact a friend of mine has an mx5 covered over on his drive for ten months of the year, including throughout the harsh winter, and has been doing so for the past six years, yet every summer it never fails to fire up on the first turn of the key.

What to look out for?

Mechanically these cars should be fine, although check that the car has not been thrashed every day of its life; a tired gearbox and clutch will indicate if this is the case. Unfortunately the biggest killer of any old mx5 is rust so check the front and rear wings for obvious signs that rust has set in and if it’s too bad simply walk away. There are plenty on the used market so be picky and find a good one. Also check the condition of the canvas hood, they generally last well but over time they will need replacing and it’s at least a 250 pound job, so factor this in when buying. It is also worth remembering these are sports cars, so you never quite know if an over enthusiastic driver has put the car on the wrong side of a hedge in its time, so check carefully for signs of dodgy accident repairs. There are a few grey imports of the MX5 under the name “Eunos”, it’s not necessarily a bad thing, in fact there often cheaper than the one with Mazda badges on, just make sure it has all the relevant paperwork with it.

And now for the MGF

I have mentioned previously on Autohouse that I have owned one of these before, it was only the crippling insurance costs that forced me to sell, ultimately down to my age. I have always had a bit of a soft spot for the MGF since I drove one when I was 16 on a private road and subsequently ended up buying one. I personally think it looks better than the MX5, but of course that is only my opinion and there will be many that disagree. There is a definite sense of “old school” engineering when you drive it; the clutch is fairly heavy, as is the gear change and you can hear the engine rasp and fizz as you drive, partly due to the fact you sit right in front of the engine. It handles well on twisty roads, partly due to its mid- engine layout, although it isn’t as razor sharp as an mx5. If you go for the VVC, which is the one you want, in terms of straight line speed it is faster than the mx5 and also it revs to a fantastic 7000 rpm.

What to look out for?

There is a golden rule when buying any MGF, check the “head gasket” has been done. The rover K series engine is nicknamed “the kettle” by many motor traders as they’re always on the boil. Always ask for full documented evidence that this has been changed to the later updated gaskets and the head skimmed because otherwise it could cost you at least £750 to sort out. It’s vital that the water levels are checked regularly to avoid the gasket going again, other than that it is generally a reliable car. Check that all the electrics work and the condition of the roof is good, especially the back plastic window. It would definitely be advisable if you can get one with a full service history to do so as unfortunately the MG does not have the bullet-proof reliability of the Japanese Mazda, but if you find a good one it will provide loads of fun on a summer’s day for very little money.

The alternatives

Although they may not be true sports cars, they still are a perfect way to get the sun on the top of your head.

Alfa Romeo spider




A very good looking Italian convertible, if you can stretch to the v6, definitively go for it. Although for this budget the more modest 2.0 seems more likely. Check for regular servicing and cambelt changes.

Saab 900 convertible.

Whether it’s the classic shape or the new GM designed shape, both are very good looking and reliable. Super quick in turbo form and there is space for two in the back.

BMW 3 series convertible





A good late 90’s 3 series convertible can now be yours for £1500. It seats four, the straight six engine is silky smooth and it looks good.

Audi cabriolet



A good mid 90’s cabriolet, fantastic German build quality, imposing looks and strong engines, all for a little over a £1000.

Fiat Barchetta

A very pretty, handmade Italian two-seater. Not one for real hard drivers as its front wheel drive and underneath it’s basically a Fiat Punto. Only comes in left hand drive.



The three cars you never thought you could afford.

In this instalment I will show you how you can have absolute luxury for the same price as a brand new Fiat Panda. Don’t believe me? Then read on.

So you’re thinking of buying a new car and the list of criteria is as follows, four doors, comfortable, safe, economical and something that will look good on the drive. You have a modest budget of twelve grand, what do you do? Rush out and buy a brand new Ford Fiesta or a Skoda, or just maybe if you think a little outside of the box and are prepared to buy second hand you could be behind the wheel of some of the most desirable and luxurious cars ever made.

The Mercedes S class.

Believe it or not this car retailed anywhere between fifty and one hundred and fifty thousand pounds when it was new, but thankfully depreciation wasn’t kind to the German bruiser and really good examples can easily be picked up for ten grand. When it was launched it was praised all over the world as being the best luxury car on the market, a title it held throughout its production life and something its successor has continued to uphold. So instead of running around in your 1.2 litre super mini you could be wafting along in absolute luxury in one of the most refined, comfortable and technically advanced cars money can buy.

So which one should you buy?

Well if you’re sensible, you will be wanting the excellent diesel model. The S320 cdi delivers effortless performance and thankfully it will return 34 mpg on a combined cycle (perhaps not as frightening as you might of thought). However, the story does change with the petrol models, all of which are brilliant, but as is often the case with the pursuit of perfection something has to suffer, and in this case its economy. The glorious s500 v8 will only return about 21 mpg and it has been know to dip into single figures in heavy traffic.



So what is the solution?

I know there are a few people out there who just don’t like diesel engines and that in their eyes a large petrol engine is the pinnacle of refinement, yet many can’t afford the eye watering running costs, so what is the solution? For anyone who is in this situation I have three words for you “liquid- petroleum- gas” or LPG for short. It will cost you two grand for a good conversion but after that you have the benefit of paying just 72p a litre. So an S500 will return the equivalent of 36 mpg (combined), actually making it cheaper to run than the diesel. It is worth noting that an LPG car, if registered with the DVLA, is Congestion Charge exempt, something in its self that could save you a small fortune if you drive into the capital each day.  You can always buy a car that has already been converted to LPG, however you never quite know the quality of the kit that has been installed and often these tend to be high mileage as people like to recuperate there initial cost of the conversion by doing more miles. Therefore if you do less than say five thousand miles per annum a conversion is not worth the initial outlay.

What to look out for?

The S class is a very complex car so check absolutely everything electrical works.

Check the air suspension system, as this is very costly to replace.

There are literally hundreds for sale so don’t rush into buying one, hold out and find a very well looked after one with a full service history.

The Jaguar XJ

You only have to say the word Jaguar and the word luxury springs to mind. The XJ is no exception. Stepping into one you immediately smell the wood and the leather, arguably there is no other big saloon car that oozes as much style and grace as the big cat. Yet unbelievably all of this can be yours for as little as 6 thousand pounds, that’s half the cost a new ford fiesta. For this section I am going to focus on two variations of the model, the XJ6 and the XJR. They may sound and even look similar but they are two completely different animals that could be all yours.

The XJ6.

This is perhaps the most sensible large executive saloon you can buy. It’s modest 

3 litre V6 engine packs 240 bhp, yet will return 27 mpg combined, get a good LPG conversion and you could see the benefits of the equivalent of 40+ mpg, which makes this one seriously cheap car to run. Reliability is also up there with best of the German competition. Unlike Jags of yesteryear, this one retains its traditional looks and feel, but its lightweight aluminium body makes it good fun on twisty roads and gives the feeling that this big car is actually much smaller. You get something special when you purchase a Jaguar, unlike its Germanic rivals the big Jag delivers a unique and charming package that no other car manufacturer can match.

The XJR

The addition of an “R” badge changes everything on any Jaguar, and the XJ is no exception. The XJR is a completely different beast to that of other models in the range. It uses a 4.2 litre supercharged v8 that develops a whiplash inducing 400 bhp and will sprint from 0-62 mph in just 5.2 seconds and on to a limited top speed 155 mph.

When buying it is vital to get one with a full and rigorous service history. There are many out there so it shouldn’t be too hard. New this car was sixty-four thousand pounds, but now many can be had for fewer than 11 grand. It will return about 19 mpg, so it’s not brilliant but if you really can’t stomach the fuel bills REMEMBER the sheer brilliance of LPG, thus meaning you can have a 400 bhp luxury saloon that will outrun a Porsche 911 but still return the equivalent of 30+ mpg. In my opinion there is no better looking large saloon car than a black XJR.

It’s also worth noting that the XJ is also available with an excellent 2.7 litre diesel engine that delivers bags of torque and delivers very good economy for a car of its size. However the reason I have somewhat left it out when mentioning the Jaguar is that it tends to demand a slightly higher used price than its petrol equivalents, although it can still be purchased for under 12 grand. If diesel is your thing and you want a Jag, then this is definitely the one to go for.

Bentley Turbo R

Now if someone said you could buy a Bentley for the same price as a new Ford Fiesta you would probably think they were a little bit mad, but in actual fact it’s entirely true. You really can be wafting along in one of the most exclusive and luxurious cars on

the planet for less than twelve thousand pounds.


I am not going to sugar coat it, whichever way you look at it running one of these beasts is never going to be cheap. It’s got a 6.8 litre V8 so “yes” fuel economy is pretty eye watering. This really is a car for someone who doesn’t cover a huge amount of miles but still loves the thought of owning something very special indeed. Servicing costs are also astronomical if you take it to a main dealer; find a good local specialist who will look after and it usually makes running one a bit more palatable. There is only one way to buy a second hand Bentley; buy the very best you can afford and make sure it has a full and extensive service history, and pray to God nothing major goes wrong or you will be looking at BIG bills.

However, it’s far from all doom and gloom; you will still be sitting behind the wheel of something that in the early 90’s cost over one-hundred thousand pounds, everywhere you go admiring glances will be made and I guarantee every time you drive it you will get out with a smile on your face and be feeling like a millionaire. Apart from its running costs the rest of Bentley ownership is actually rather reasonable, these cars qualify for classic car insurance, so if you only do a few thousand miles a year insurance will be cheap. Also these cars have just about finished with depreciation, all ninety thousand pounds of it, and if you look after it and keep it for three years you could even see the car appreciate, something no other car on this list can boast. 

Also many owners of older Bentley’s do what I like to call, owning a “Bentley on a budget”. If you buy a good one of these and you have a spare Saturday afternoon once a month, you could actually see this car making you money. Think about what the majority of wedding cars are, I guarantee that 70 per- cent are Rolls Royce or Bentley’s, so you could potentially earn up to £300 for just a few hours work in your spare time, which could either be money that is put back into the car or spent on yourself. These cars can make you money through weddings, school proms and other functions. This is something almost no other car for just ten grand can do. So there you have it, if you’re prepared to make a few sacrifices you really can be driving around in a Bentley on a minimal budget.

You really can have all three of three of these large executive saloons for a lot less than the price of a new Ford fiesta. Yes servicing and maintenance may well cost you a bit more than that of a new super mini, but my theory is this: buy a large Jag, Mercedes, Audi, BMW or Bentley for anything between six and 11 thousand pounds, and you have left over money in the bank that will more than pay for any nasty repair bills that “might” occur and if you look closely when buying and you get a good one with low mileage and a full service history there is no reason why these over engineered saloons will give you any trouble whatsoever. In many cases, buying one of these instead of a brand new car could actually be a wise choice. You can buy a 2007 jaguar XJ6 for a little over 7,500 pounds, spend two thousand on an LPG conversion, that will leave you with 2,500 pounds in your pocket to do with as you wish compared to if you had bought a new Ford Fiesta for twelve thousand. I suggest load up the car with friends and family and cruise down in absolute comfort to the south of France for a week and have a holiday on what you have saved, or if that’s just not your thing, with the change book two weeks in the Caribbean. While you sunbathe on the beach with a cocktail you can be happy in the knowledge that you’re the envy of the neighbours.